Munnar Travel Guide

Munnar Overview

The first image that comes to our mind when Munnar is remembered is of plush green mountains with tea plantation, majestic mountain ranges, calm and peaceful environ, cloud mountains peaks and hazy tranquil environ. The city is loved and adored by all the national and international travellers. The town is just like any other typical Indian town which shops, guests houses, Hotels and cultural and traditional people. Munnar is also considered as a heaven for Indian honeymooners. The town is divided into two parts, Old Munnar and Munnar, on one hand where Old Munnar compact with tourist information office, on the other hand Munnar houses bus station, guest house, hotels and many other things.
Munnar derived its name from the word Moonu Aaru, which is Malyalam word, which means three rivers.

History of Munnar

The early history of the city is still not recognized and is unknown to the scholars. As far as the records being concerned the early inhabitants of the region are members of the Muthuvan community which is a tribal community. Until late 19th century, the region was unexplored and wild. Later in the same century foreign planter from Europe found this place and started plantation here. By the year 1877 British understood the importance of this region and also got mesmerized by its beauty and they took land on lease from Valiya Raja for tea plantation. By 1879 all other plantations like coffee, cardamom, cinchona and sisal were banned when tea was found as an ideal crop for the region. Seeing the profit and money being generated from the selling and plantation of tea plants, many companies came and started their partnership in tea plantation. Tata Company is one of those companies. In 1964 Tata group entered into collaboration with Finlay, which results in the formation o Tata-Finlay group.

Culture – Traditions and Cuisine in Munnar

The beautiful hill station Munnar once was also the summer resort for the British. Famous for tree plantation, Munnar has many plantation places which were started by the British only. The first human evidence found in this region if of Muthuvan tribe. One can see the strange blend of Muthuvan Tribal traditions, British Culture and Kerala and Tamil Nadu traditions. Locals of the region generally speak in Malyalam and Tamil languages. With passage of time and westernization you can also find people speaking in English and Hindi.
Talking about the festivals, the major festival celebrated here is the festival of Onam. Onam is celebrated in the months of August and September. The festival is celebrated as harvest festival which is celebrated throughout the state of Kerala. This festival runs for 10 days. During Onam, people make beautiful traditional designs in front of their homes. Another festival is Hot Air balloon Festival which started celebrating in last recent years. This roped ride in the balloon offer you a bird eye view to the natural beauty of the Munnar.
When it comes to food, the city is having as classy taste in food as other parts of the country. Along with picturesque landscape, the place also offers its travellers an array of mouth-watering delicacies. The city has famous Kairali cuisine which is served on a banana leaf, consist of vegetable pachadii.r salad, elaneerpayasam (coconut kheer), mix vegetable stir fry, pulienji and rice with sambar, rasam and other items. The staple food of the city is rice which is savored with different recipes. The most important ingredient of every dish is coconut oil and also garnished with a lot of crushed coconut.
Non-Veg lovers can tantalize their taste buds with fish and beef (beef though now banned). Most favorite non-veg dish of the city is Malabar parota and rice which is served with beef, fish or meat.

Munnar Map

Best Places to Visit Munnar

Bestowed with unbeatable natural sceneries, the place is the favorite tourist destination among travellers.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Munnar are –

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary:

Salim Ali, the best known ornithologists described this sanctuary as richest bird habitat on peninsular India. It was first of its kind in Kerala. Guided tours are organized bythe forest authority of the sanctuary. You can indulge yourself in the adventure activities like trekking while watching variety of exotic and rare birds.

Kannan Devan Tea Museum:

This is the only tea plantation area which is accessible to tourists. More than 12000 employees serve their duty in Kannan Devan Hill Plantation. It is the largest tea plantation in South India.

Mattupetty:

It is another hill station which is famous for its well-constructed dams and beautiful lakes. The place is bestowed with blessings of mother nature, wildlife sanctuary, hill stations, spice plantations, trekking trails, waterfalls, salubrious climate and scenic beauty.

With many man-made and natural attractions in Munnar, the city also features –

1. Tata Tea Museum

2. Idduki Arch Dam

3. Anamudi Peak

4. Hill View Peak

5. Eravikulam National Park

Munnar Weather

Best Time to Visit Munnar

Nestled amidst natural beauty the city of Munnar is bestowed with could covered mountains, plush green tea plantation landscape, spice plantation and many more picturesque view.The best time to visit Munnar is the season of Autumn when the season is pleasing and alluring. Specifically speaking the month of October is the best time to visit the city.

How to Reach Munnar

By Airways:

The nearest Airport is Cochin International airport which is 110km away from Munnar by road. The city is connected with many national and international places via this airport.

By Railways:

Aluva is the nearest railway station of Munnar. It is 110 km approx from the city. You can also reach Munnar via Madhurai railway station which is 135 km away from the city.

By Roadways:

Well clustered road will help you to reach the place safely and smoothly. Munnar is connected via road with Cochin, Kozhikode, Coimbatore, Wayanad and many other places of in and around of the city.